One of the great things about working at our office is the camaraderie among coworkers. We are always sharing articles and recipes and showing each other ridiculous videos on YouTube or pictures from our weekend. Now that summer is upon us, you’ll often find us excitedly discussing our weekend explorations and upcoming vacation destinations, which is always accompanied by suggested needs for our adventures. Today, we thought we would take the conversation outside of the office and extend our must-haves to you all.

Hannah is taking off to Los Angeles next month and staying with friends in Santa Monica. Since a trip to LA is not complete without a hike in Griffith Park, she will be bringing breathable Nike attire for an active afternoon in the hot summer heat. (She definitely won’t be forgetting her water bottle for this one.) Comfortable flats are a necessity as she likes to walk everywhere, and where better to wander than the Santa Monica pier? Of course Weleda Skin Food and one of our nourishing Lip Tints goes everywhere with her, as well as her staple Rayban Wayfarers.

A different and closer coast, but equally as relaxing and enjoying, is where you’ll find Candice on the San Juan Islands in Washington. Packed in her Everlane Casual Petra bag, you’ll find the perfect beach blanket and a captivating summer read, a beach dream team. (Might we recommend Everything I Never Told You?)

Urmila is off to both coasts, finding herself in Los Angeles and New York City and her ultimate summer travel must have? A fresh manicure and pedicure.

Tell us, where is YOUR summer taking you? And what are you taking along with you?

As someone who is constantly running from one place to the other, often switching shoes at stoplights and blindly applying lipstick just hoping for the best, I’ve come to really appreciate the immediacy and versatility of beauty products. So how do I convincingly arrive at work looking well put together (and not like I just hopped off my stationary bike at spin class with just a few minutes to spare)? Easy! It’s makeup on the go. These four products are all I need.

Our Satin Matte Foundation is great for all over coverage, and also wonderful when you simply need a spot treatment for only certain areas of your skin. With a swift, smooth application, you can combat any discoloration or flatness and present a smooth, flawless complexion.

Our Lip Tints not only provide the perfect boost of color for your lips, they also help to enhance the cheeks in a pinch! Simply dot onto the apples of your cheeks and then blend out and up with your fingers along the cheekbone for a natural looking flush. The best two-in-one combination!

The ultimate trick to brightening your look is no secret, but it works magic all the same… Mascara. One or two coats to your lashes is almost as awakening to your appearance as a few espressos.

Final touch? Separate and define your lashes with the comb part of our Brow Brush + Comb, and then smooth and groom your brows with the brush side.

Easily achieved, effortlessly polished. Getting ready on the go has never been easier.

The sun-drenched, hot weekend just passed in Portland and most of us did our best to soak up every bit of the sun that we could and take advantage of the playground we call the Northwest – whether we were relaxing at the beach, picking berries on Sauvie Island, or hiking in the Gorge.

Want a captivating summer read perfect for backyard lounging? Lose yourself in Paula Hawkins’ new thriller The Girl on the Train or indulge your literary senses with Maggie Nelson’s The Argonauts.

As if the beach couldn’t get any more fun, try laying out on this charming Kate Spade picnic blanket that conveniently rolls up into a transportable tote.

Speaking of picnics, Vegetarian Times has planned the perfect one for you and your friends. Just don’t forget the rosé!

If you can’t make it to the beach, mimic the ocean’s effects with your own DIY Sea Salt Spray to give off the illusion of a day spent splashing among the waves.

Indie band Belle and Sebastian and summer go hand and hand with each other for me, which is why their newest album Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance has been playing continuously in my car or through my headphones.

We’re kicking off summer with an Instagram giveaway – all you have to do to enter is show us how you’re starting yours!

HOW TO PLAY

1. Follow @alimapure on Instagram. 2. Post a photo that captures the essence of summer – adventures, activities, anything! 3. Tag @alimapure and hashtag #summeroftides. 4. Keep sharing! There is no limit to the amount of times you enter.

The winner will receive the complete Tides collection.

Contest ends Friday, June 26 and we will announce the winner on Monday, June 29th.

No purchase necessary to enter or win contest. Open to US residents only, ages 18 and older. Void where prohibited. Contest begins June 19th, 2015 and ends June 26th, 2015 11:59pm PT. Winner will be announced June 29th, 2015. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash.

Looking for a playful way to heighten your summer look? Our colorful summer collection allows for effortless pops of color suited for any occasion. One of our personal favorite looks is a bright touch of Cobalt balanced with a natural, glowing face. (And the best part is that it takes less than three minutes to do!)

First things first: what exactly IS contouring? Contouring, or sculpting, adds shadows to enhance bone structure and give the appearance of depth. If it sounds intimidating or time consuming, it’s not – at least not with our Contour Powder in Sombra created specifically for this defining trick.

1. With our #7 Half Moon Brush, lightly sweep Sombra in the hollow of your cheekbones (where you feel the dip beneath the bone), down the sides of the nose, along your hairline and jawline, and in the depth of the temples.

2. Blend and soften the edges, feathering outward.

3. Dust your now sculpted canvas with our Highlighter using the #23 Kitten Brush across your cheekbones, nose, and underneath the eyes for an added natural glow.